94 History of the Company. 



be *' borrowed ^500, according to the Company's 

 old proportion of 100 quarters of wheat." 



The reference here to the Company's propor- 

 tion of 100 quarters of wheat deserves a passing 

 explanation. The City of London had from an 

 early period adopted the custom of 



Corn Custom. ... r i r 



mamtammg a store 01 wheat lor pro- 

 viding food for the inhabitants and preventing 

 extortion and " corners " in times of scarcity. 

 The origin of the custom is unknown, but in the 

 early part of the sixteenth century the Companies 

 appear to have been rated for a contribution to 

 enable the City to purchase a store. In 1578, 

 however, the Companies determined to keep their 

 own stores, and the City allotted them granaries 

 at Bridge House for the purpose, but as their 

 control of these granaries was subject to inter- 

 ference, they, in course of time, removed their 

 several stocks to their own Halls.^ The allusion to 

 the custom in the Company's books is rare, and, as 

 in the previous minute, only indirect. The Com- 

 pany's quota here stated as 100 quarters of wheat 

 is in the City books stated to have been 90 

 quarters. Rye and meal were subsequently 

 added : — . 



1630. March 2^th. 



" The p'cept for 3 quarters of meale to be delivered to 

 the Alorcs deputies of Lyme Street and Cordwayners' 

 Wards was read whereupon it is ordered that there 



1 



Herbert's "Hist. Essay," p. 130 et seq. 



